Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua has issued the
following statement in response to the 2018 federal budget release.

“I welcome the
city-building commitments outlined in the federal government’s budget that was brought
forward by Finance Minister Bill Morneau on Feb. 27. It is a plan that understands
the importance of equality, and works to safeguard and elevate the quality of
life for Canadians in communities across our country. This is a budget that
renews its promise to invest in the quality public services that municipalities
help to deliver each day, including reliable infrastructure, accessible transit
and affordable housing.

I am pleased to see a
focus placed on strengthening trade. Building and maintaining relations with
countries, along with international public and private sector leaders, is
fundamental to ensuring we attract job-creating investments here at home.
Vaughan continues to actively participate in foreign-direct missions to key
global target markets. These economic development missions are opportunities to
showcase Vaughan and Canada as leading destinations for businesses to grow,
expand service offerings and succeed.

Vaughan has strong
relationships across all levels of government. In December, we made history
with the opening of the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Subway Station – the first
time the TTC subway has traveled beyond Toronto. Cranes tower over our city as
construction on the Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital continues to progress. Most
recently, the Mayor’s Smart City Advisory Task Force was launched and Vaughan is forging
ahead by taking part in the Government of Canada’s Smart Cities Challenge
announced in last year’s budget.

As we look toward the
future, we remain committed to building on our shared success of working
together to deliver transformational results for our citizens.”